Tree Protection Bylaw

Thank you for the great question. 

We currently do not have a set threshold of annual canopy loss, above which would trigger a risk response.  In British Columbia, there isn't a strict industry standard for how often LiDAR surveys should be conducted to monitor urban forests and the frequency of these surveys can vary depending on the specific goals and resources of the municipality or organization conducting them.  Measuring LiDAR every five years rather than at a shorter interval was a decision that was in part based on the relatively expensive nature of conducting this type of data collection and associated cost of data analysis.  Increasing the frequency of DiDAR assessemts may be revisited in the future if it is determined that the five year frequency is too long.

Hello and thank you for the great question.  

The Urban Forest Strategy is a strategic policy document that outlines the community's aspirations and goals for managing Abbotsford's forest resources over the next 25 years. It sets out five key goals and 55 action items to guide the implementation of the Strategy. Regulatory bylaws, such as the Tree Bylaw, Zoning Bylaw, Development Bylaw, and Development Permit guidelines, play a significant role in determining how development is carried out on the ground. Many of the action items outlined in the Strategy call for updates and improvements to these regulatory bylaws to align them with the vision and goals of the Strategy.  Two examples of this are Action 1, which aims to adopt 2045 canopy cover targets to maintain 40% canopy cover city-wide, and Action 10, which seeks to update the Tree Bylaw to align with the Strategy's targets and strengthen tree protection and replacement measures.

Thank you for your question.  Wildfire mitigation is not specifically addressed in the proposed Tree Management Bylaw update.  You might be interested to know that in Abbotsford, there are other mechanisms that address wildfire mitigation within the City, such as the Wildfire Hazard Development Permit Guidelines that were introduced within the McKee Neighbourhood Plan area.  These guidelines are intended to adapt FireSmart principles and wildfire management and prevention best practices for development occurring along the City's Wildland Urban Interface or adjacent to forested slopes that may be exposed to wildfire risk areas.  

Thank you for your question.  The provisions of the updated bylaw will be applicable to all new permits once it has been adopted by Council.  

Thank you for your inquiry regarding Recommendation 7 of the Tree Protection Bylaw Update, which pertains to the removal of trees deemed as nuisances. The decision to remove the "nuisance tree" clause was made after reviewing how this clause has been managed and interpreted over time, and recognizing the need for clarity within the bylaw around how tree permit refusals should be administered.  

The previous inclusion of the "nuisance tree" clause lacked a clear definition and direction, leading to subjective interpretations and in many cases an overuse of the provision.  We found that allowing the removal of trees without specific criteria or standards can result in unnecessary tree removals and notable canopy reduction. Under the new Bylaw, the reasons for  tree removal will be focused around providing more objective guidelines for tree removal and ensuring that decisions are made based on established standards, criteria and professional assessment.

While the removal of the "nuisance tree" clause may raise concerns about addressing trees that pose non-property-damage-related nuisances, City staff administering the Bylaw will still have the ability to exercise professional judgment and rely on the expertise of qualified professionals to assess situations where the specific exemption criteria are not met. We understand the importance of addressing legitimate concerns regarding tree nuisances that may not fall under the property damage category, so we are open to considering alternative solutions to tree removal, such as tree maintenance, pruning, or implementing mitigation measures that can often address nuisance tree issues. 
 

Ultimately, our goal is to balance the preservation of our urban forest canopy with the needs and concerns of the community, ensuring that decisions regarding tree removal are made thoughtfully and with consideration for the broader environmental impact.  

Thank you for your questions. The proposed revisions to the Tree Protection Bylaw aim to address many of the concerns you've raised, including enhancing incentives for the preservation of mature trees, implementing stronger tree protection protocols during construction activities, and establishing clearer criteria for permit denials for tree removal.  The proposed updates to the bylaw around tree species and stock size for replacement will provide greater flexibility in selecting and planting the right tree for the right site based on the site-to-site specific constraints of each property, particularly as our urban areas become more densely developed.

In developing these recommendations, we conducted extensive background research, which included reviewing and comparing tree bylaws from other communities and drawn on best practices and innovative approaches observed elsewhere to help inform our proposed updates.  We recognize that effective tree management is interconnected with various land use regulations and strategic policies. As such, we are actively exploring opportunities to harmonize this bylaw with other regulatory frameworks, to better support urban forest canopy retention outcomes long term.

Thank you for your inquiry regarding roof and tree height restrictions. In Abbotsford, building height regulations are governed by both the BC Building Code and the Zoning Bylaw, primarily to ensure considerations such as life safety and neighborhood form and character are addressed.

The proposed revisions to the Tree Protections Bylaw do not specifically regulate tree heights on individual properties. Instead, the focus is on fostering a healthy and diverse tree canopy over the long term. As part of this bylaw update process, we aim to enhance the species list within the bylaw schedule. This includes categorizing tree species based on their size (small, medium, large) and their adaptability to our changing climate. The intention is to facilitate informed tree selection for planting, considering specific site conditions.